THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 15
This was seconded by Mr. J. C. Float (Mayor of Maldon) and carried
unanimously.
Mr. Elliott then moved as a pendant to the above:—
" That the Council be instructed to take the matter of the removal of the
Library from Chelmsford into consideration at an early date."
This was seconded by Mr. J. H. Porter, and carried unanimously.
The President, on behalf of the Council, then proposed :—
"That the cordial thanks of the Club be sent to Mr. E. N. Buxton, for his
successful efforts in establishing the Epping Forest Bird Protection
League."
The President in the course of his remarks, said that they all knew and
appreciated Mr. Buxton's excellent work, as one of the Verderers, in the
endeavour to restore the natural conditions of life in the forest. This late
effort of his, in the establishment of the League, was just one of those
enlightened acts which should receive the recognition of all lovers of Natural
History. It was a matter for congratulation that the protective influence of
the League was apparently already bearing fruit in the increase ot several
species of birds in the district.1
Mr. Walter Crouch warmly supported the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
The 167th Ordinary Meeting was then held for the election of new
members. The following were duly elected :—Mrs. Laura G. Horn ; Mr. Eliot
Howard, J.P. ; Mr. Francis Eliot Howard, and Mrs. M. E. Marsh.
The meeting was then declared a Special Meeting, in accordance with
the Rules for the consideration of a proposal regarding the Entrance-fee.
Mr. J. H. Porter moved, and Mr. F. W. Elliott seconded :—
" That the Entrance-fee be suspended as from the 1st of January, 1897, for
such time as the Council may consider necessary."
Mr. Porter said that practically he found that an Entrance-fee often
operated as a hindrance to getting members. He gave an example from the
experiences of a Society with which he was connected. His proposal, if
accepted, would enable the experiment to be tried, and he hoped that a large
accession of new members to the Club would be the result. He had modified
his resolution so as to put the Entrance-fee into a state of suspended animation,
that it might be re-imposed if the experiment was not approved of.
After a few remarks by the President, the resolution was put to the
meeting, and carried.
Mr. J. D. Cooper proposed that the best thanks of the Club be given to
Mr. Howard for his admirable conduct as President of the Club. Mr. Howard
was almost invariably present at their meetings, and had guided the Club in
a truly excellent manner in the settlement of many difficult questions.
Mr. T. Hay Wilson seconded the motion which was carried unanimously
amid applause.
Mr. Howard in thanking the members for their confidence said that
anything he had been able to do was truly a labour of love. The whole
1 See short analysis of the first Report of the League printed in the present
part of the E.N.